Gokudo Shabu Shabu Hot Pot Burnaby
I think Gokudo Shabu Shabu Hot Pot carried their business culture to their new Burnaby location quite well. However, the solution to get 2 groups of two people sitting in a 4 person table was very poorly done. Gokudo Shabu Shabu is still the cheap alternative to a self cook hot pot, hence the constant line up in front. I would still come here for hot pot, but you are picky about your dining experience then Gokudo Shabu Shabu is not for you.
We wrote about Gokudo Shabu Shabu Hot Pot in Richmond, but today we are going to talk about their new location in Burnaby. This new location has opened for approximately a year and we have been here a couple of times. I had a better experience for the first few visits, but a recent visit has to lead me to believe this hot pot place just wants to aim for efficiency and doesn’t really care about customer experience.
Strength: Simple fee and combo. Finishing all the veggies you’re going to be full.
Weakness: Poor food quality, seating force strangers to look at each other.
Other Personal Hot Pot
- Nabebugyo Hot Pot Cuisine (5 Stars)
- Beijing Hotpot (4 Stars)
- QianDao hotpot (3.5 Stars)
Gokudo Shabu Shabu Hot Pot Front
The Gokudo Shabu Shabu Hot Pot use black and orange as the main color. The storefront has lots of glazing that are clear on the upper portion and frosted at the lower part to provide privacy. There are overhang above so it is not as harsh to have to line up outside.
Interior space
The interior space is divided into 5 parts with the waiting area in front and kitchen at the back. The dining area is comprised of two rows of table seating on left and right and bar stool high seating area in the middle.
Odd Seating Arrangement
If you have a smaller group, the staff will ask you to sit with another group, but with a twist. Normally you sit facing your party, but at Gokudo Shabu Shabu, you sit next to your companion, facing a strange. Yes, there is a divider in between, but I can still see the face from the other side. I think this is a very poor dining experience.
Table Setup
The tableware has a uniform design with black tableware that is brown on the edge. Every customer gets two sets of chopsticks, one for raw meat, and one for cooked ones. You also get a large spoon and a strainer for picking up food from the hot pot. Overall they follow the thoughtfulness of their original location.
Dirty dish station and beverage cooler
I find it odd to see the dirty dish trolley located in a visible area like this. Usually, you wouldn’t want your customers to see the dirty dishes. I don’t think this is very well thought out.
Lamb and Beef
We ordered two types of meat so we can try different varieties. The lambs are circular, and the beef was rolled strips. They came frozen but can be easily separated
There’s something about the soup
For some reason, Gokudo Shabu Shabu Hot Pot’s soup base has lots of impurities floating above it after cooking the meat. I haven’t noticed this issue in many of the personal hot pot locations I’ve tried, but it seems to happen every time I come to Gokudo. I have transferred a lot of these foams into a smaller bowl, but there are still lots floating in my main pot.
Veggie, Drinks, and Desserts to make it a combo
When you make a meal into a combo, you get a bowl of carb, a veggie platter, a non-refillable drink, and a jelly dessert after your meal. There is not much meat, but you will be full if you finish everything that comes with the combo.
604 Food Critic Assessment
I think Gokudo Shabu Shabu Hot Pot carried their business culture to their new Burnaby location quite well. However, the solution to get 2 groups of two people sitting in a 4 person table was very poorly done. Gokudo Shabu Shabu is still the cheap alternative to a self cook hot pot, hence the constant line up in front. I would still come here for hot pot, but you are picky about your dining experience then Gokudo Shabu Shabu is not for you.
Gokudo Shabu Shabu Hot Pot Menu
How to get in touch
- Phone: (604) 438-5598
- Address: #5-4250, Kingsway, Burnaby
- Hours: 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday 11:30 am – 11:00 pm
